Sikkim flash flood: One of 23 missing soldiers rescued, search on for others

Gangtok: One soldier of 23 reported missing after a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst over the Lhona Lake in North Sikkim, has been rescued, the Army informed through a statement on Wednesday.

Lt Colonel Rawat, public relations officer (PRO), Defence, Gauhati, said in a statement, "His condition is stable and he is under medical care."
The missing soldier has been rescued from Danag Village, approximately 18 km from Bardang in Sikkim, it said.
The search and rescue operation by the Army is currently underway to trace the remaining soldiers.

"The search operations are being undertaken under conditions of incessant rains, and fast-flowing water in the Teesta River with the roads and bridges washed away at many places," the PRO added in his statement.

It added that the family members of the missing persons have been contacted and informed about the situation.
"All other Indian Army personnel posted in Sikkim and North Bengal are safe and they are unable to contact their family members due to disruptions of mobile communication," it said.

The Defence PRO Guwahati also shared an update on the missing soldiers on X, posting, "23 army personnel have been reported missing due to a flash flood that occurred in Teesta River in Lachen Valley after a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim."